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Post by Tyler & Carlos on Mar 11, 2020 12:03:53 GMT -7
[Original subject line: Tyler's Carlos / Surgery 03/07 / French Buldog] My guy went down late Friday night (March 6). We had suspected something was up and had taken him to his normal vet after hours. He seemed fine again when we got there, so he wasn't triaged. While we were waiting to be seen, his hind legs collapsed. We were quickly referred and transferred to a neurologist. He retained DPS, and was a Stage 4. His Operation was Saturday night (March 7) and he came home Tuesday evening (March 10) once the neurologist was confident he did not need to be expressed. Our first follow-up is Wednesday, March 18 to see if his staples can be removed. I've read a lot of your posts, and hope Carlos can recover. ☀︎1-- Carlos is a French Bulldog, I'm Tyler. We are in Calgary, Canada☀︎2-- 12.5kg / 27.5lbs☀︎3-- Our Suregon has a DVM, and a Dip. ACVIM Neurology☀︎4-- The surgery was at approximately 8pm on March 7. Carlos is currently undergoing strict crate/pen rest and only outside for 4 washroom breaks daily. ☀︎5-- Carlos should have PT at home 4x daily for the first two weeks. Standing & Shifting Weight, Range of Motion, and Bicycle Motion ☀︎6-- Carlos will likely be on very strict crate rest for 2 weeks before being reassessed. Likely after 2 weeks we can take him on 4 very short walks per day, after another two weeks he should be able to gradually go on longer walks. ☀︎7-- No obvious pain when resting, he isn't a huge fan when we pick him up to go to the washroom. We try to neutralize his spine as often as possible. ☀︎8-- He has a lot: - Meloxicam (From yesterday until March 14), 12.5kg/dose, once daly with food. - Gabapentin (From yesterday until out) 100mg/tablet, once every 8-12 hours (Currently doing every 12 hrs) - Oxycodone/Acetaminophen (From yesterday until out), 5mg Oxy/325mg Ace, 1/2 a tablet every 12 hours. - Trazodone (As needed max every 8 to 12 hours) - One 50mg tablet as required for sedation (We gave him one over night) He is also on Tobrex for an eye ulcer during surgery, and Clavomox for a suspected but not confirmed UTI. He has been urinating himself with no issues. Doc was suspicious as he was peeing often but in small amounts, his bladder was too small to do tests while in hospital. ☀︎9-- He can walk in his pen unassisted, but still wobbly. We use a sling when using the washroom for extra support. ☀︎10-- He did pee on his bed overnight, but unsure if he stood to do that. There's a pee pad in his pen just in case, so I'm hoping he just missed. I haven't noticed any other leaking ☀︎11-- Eating and drinking has been fine, I've been cooking chicken and rice for him instead of kibble for now to ensure he eats it right away. He only ever grazes on kibble. He has only pooed once since getting home yesterday evening. It was a weird colour, but I wouldn't say bright red (more orange). I'm hoping that was because of the diet he had at the vet (He was there from Friday night to Tuesday evening). If I do suspect blood I will call the vet immediately. How often should he be going for #2? He's been home for about 19 hours so far, so maybe I'm just being paranoid. This is his pen (since taking this photo I've added some extra blankets for comfort:  |
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 11, 2020 12:30:15 GMT -7
Moderator Paula is currently reading your post and preparing to reply. This could take as much as 30 minutes or more depending on how complex things are to research before getting back to you. Suggestions: -- Do bookmark this thread so you can get back here easily. -- Registering opens the handy feature of getting an email alert a reply has been posted! 1. Go to your Profile> Profile Edit > Notifications: checkmark BOOKMARKS + "instant" email 2. Next, go to the SURGERY Board: checkmark your dog’s thread, then use the ACTIONS button to select "bookmark" **  -- While waiting you could refresh your browser to check when reply has been made |
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PaulaM
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Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Mar 11, 2020 12:42:42 GMT -7
Tyler, welcome to our Forum! It may take ab out 2 weeks for all of the surgery caused swelling to subside. So in the meantime making sure his pain meds are correct to provide round the clock pian control and when he has to move such as potty time is important. Pain meds have a short life. If you are not giving gabapentin every 8 hrs that could be why Carolos is not happy to be picked up (moved) What about Oxy/ACE ask surgeon if every 8 hrs is possible-- tell him Carlos not happy to be moved.Chick and rice are not a balanced diet. Here is just one example of the many wondrously intricate ways of the body and why a balanced diet.
Eating excess protein, means the body would need calcium from other sources in order to process the unnecessary protein. The heart relies on calcium in the blood to beat. If not enough calcium in the blood stream, then the body will need to take calcium from bones.
Over feeding meats, can unbalance the kibble food's balanced formula. 10% extra meat isn’t very much. For example, if you feed a dog 1/3 of a cup kibble (which equals 5 tablespoons = 15 teaspoons) then you should only supplement with a max 1.5 to 2 teaspoons of homemade on top.
the math: 15 tsp x .10 = 1.5 tsp
For extra kibble yumminess (is that a word???) soak his kibble in a homemade meat broth. Simmer u a hamburger patty in a cup or so of water. When cool discard the fat disc. Crumble small amount over broth soaked kibble.
All the meds from the surgery disrup his usual digestive timing. The extra broth liquid can help with any constipation surgery meds or the Oxycodone might cause (can slow the digestive process).
Wonderful that Carlos can wobby walk! As the swelling subsides, you are sure to see more nerve healing happening to likley be walking normally with time. If Carols has to do a little hop in in out of that bed, best to create a mattress system so he can just walk on and off with no hop. How to set up the mattress and many more tips to make crate rest go smoother are on the main Dodgerslist website here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/cratesupplies.htmWhile on the website, see where you'll want to up your IVDD knowledge for the now and for living many happy years ahead: IVDD 101 things savvy pet parents want to know about www.dodgerslist.com/healingindex.htm |
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Post by Tyler & Carlos on Mar 11, 2020 12:59:35 GMT -7
Thank you! I will make that adjustment to his kibble to make it more palatable to him. I will also get him back to 3 ▲gabo per day vs adding to the oxy. He is used to gabo as he also uses it (along with Trazodone) for nail trim anxiety.
For the Meloxicam, we only have instructions to give it to him until Saturday night (Meloxicam 7 days post-surgery). I have read somewhere else on your site it seems that 14 days post-surgery seem to be the recommendation. Should I ask the neuro about this too? Or will this vary from patient to patient?
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Mar 11, 2020 13:26:43 GMT -7
Seven days on the anti-inflammatory, in Carlos' case Meloxicam, is not uncommon after surgery. With surgery there is no longer disc material pressing on the spinal cord causing inflammation so the meds may be needed for a shorter time.
After my dog Frankie's surgery he was prescribed 7 days of an anti-inflammatory.
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Post by Tyler & Carlos on Mar 12, 2020 10:06:13 GMT -7
Thank you so much for confirming!
Hi there -
Currently 106 hours post surgery!
Question on Trazodone! I'm going to be working from home for at least the first 4 weeks of Carlos' recovery. The instructions I received are to give Carlos Trazodone every 8-12 hours as required for sedation. I gave him one at approximately 0230 on March 11, and another one at around 1730 March 11 to keep him calm.
Today he seems content in his crate, little bit of walking around but mostly sleeping. Should I give him a Trazodone every 8-12 hours anyway, or just when I feel like he is getting restless?
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Post by Julie & Perry on Mar 12, 2020 12:45:42 GMT -7
I'd say if he's peaceful and relaxed I wouldn't give him any.
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Post by Tyler & Carlos on Mar 14, 2020 14:55:13 GMT -7
Carlos had his surgery 7 days ago, and is feeling back to himself. He is trying to run during his pee breaks, and is getting restless in his pen now.. he is crying to get out as I type this.
Any suggestions on ways to keep him content? His first check-up for staples removal is still a few days away (Wednesday, March 18). He is never left alone, and I try and spend some time in his pen with him for company.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Mar 14, 2020 15:21:01 GMT -7
Excellent that Carlos is feeling back to himself. When our dogs start to feel better they want to move around more. They think they are fine. We pet parents know more crate rest is needed. Is the trazadone not working for him? There are other sedatives that can be used. ACEpromozine is a sedative that we see used on the Forum. You could ask your vet if he would recommend changing to ACEpromozine. There are also some natural remedies you can try. An oral calmer in combination with a Pheromone diffuser seems to work best. It takes several days for these to start working - it isn't immediate. Of course ALWAYS keep your vet in the loop on all things you give your dog. Other product brands may be available in your area or on-line… just shop by the active ingredient(s) on the label and the quantity for best price. Place a DAP pheromone diffuser at floor level where the recovery suite is. One brand to consider is: --Adaptil (DAP) wall plug in diffuser www.adaptil.com/us/Adaptil/Adaptil-DiffuserUse the diffuser with one oral calmer from below: 1) ANXITANE® S chewable tabs contain 50 mg L-Theanine, an amino acid that acts neurologically to help keep dogs calm, relaxed us.virbac.com/product/behavior/anxitane-chewable-tablets2) Composure Soft Chews are colostrum based like calming mother's milk and contain 21 mg of L-Theanine. www.vetriscience.com/composure-soft-dogs-MD-LD.phpBach's Remedy Pets is a liquid herb combo to help with relaxation. Contains 5X herbs: Rock Rose (Cistus),Impatiens, Clematis, Star of Bethlehem (Ornitholagum umbellatum), Cherry Plum. www.bachrescueremedypet.com/about/what-is-rescue-pet/ |
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Post by Tyler & Carlos on Mar 19, 2020 14:25:05 GMT -7
Carlos had his check-up and got his staples out yesterday, March 18.
He is currently finished his dosage of painkillers and anti-inflammatory, but I still have some Gabopentin and Trazodone if needed.
At the moment, we are allowed to take Carlos on a few short 5 minute walks per day. The neurologist is happy with Carlos' progress and said he seems strong and relaxed, and we should gradually build him up by adding a couple of minutes to his walks every week.
Next steps for us is trying to make the house more back safe, so ensuring he can't run up/down stairs, or jump on the bed or sofas. In about two weeks from now we will give him more freedom around the house.
Tyler
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Mar 19, 2020 14:40:35 GMT -7
It sounds like Carlos is doing very well. Excellent news. Many surgeons suggest short walks as a form of PT after surgery. Slowly building up his stamina is the way to go. We have some information about home modifications to reduce the stress on his spine in the future here: www.dodgerslist.com/literature/protectback.htm |
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Post by Tyler & Carlos on Oct 6, 2020 8:45:03 GMT -7
Hi - I thought I would share because it's been exactly 7 months since Carlos went to the neurologist and subsequently had surgery for Grade 4 IVDD. He's made a really great recovery and is his old, playful self. We've had to make some adjustments including eliminating tug of war and limiting how much he can play with other dogs. We really try to have him not jump on and off furniture, which works most of the time, but we've also replaced our bed and sofa so it's much lower to the ground in the event he does get excited and jump. So far there have been no indications of a flareup, but we keep gabapentin and metacam on hand just in case. Thanks for all of the support in March! Between COVID and IVDD, the months between March and May were very hard. |
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,528
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Post by PaulaM on Oct 6, 2020 11:28:01 GMT -7
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Post by Tyler & Carlos on Mar 6, 2021 15:19:10 GMT -7
Today is the 1-year anniversary since Carlos was admitted to the animal hospital with Stage 4 IVDD.
I feel very grateful that there has not been any setbacks so far. He is still living a really good life, and he's now 3 years old.
Thanks again to this forum for all the support.
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Post by Romy & Frankie on Mar 6, 2021 15:28:25 GMT -7
Very happy to hear how well Carlos is doing on his one-year anniversary.
Thank you very much for the update. We love to hear about our graduates.
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